"Kid, as long as you can cure the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor's poison, you can have whatever celestial herbs you want. I'm just worried—what if you pick the herbs you need and run off afterward?"
Poison Douluo eyed Chen Feng suspiciously.
Chen Feng chuckled.
"Senior Dugu, have you looked around? Even though the Sunset Forest isn't as vast as Star Dou Forest, there are still plenty of soul beasts over ten thousand years old roaming around. Even if I wanted to run, do you think I could escape?"
Dugu Bo thought for a moment—he had to admit the kid had a point… assuming Sword Douluo didn't intervene, of course.
As if guessing Dugu Bo's concern, Chen Feng turned toward Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, and said,
"Uncle Ning, Grandpa Sword, I plan to cultivate here for some time. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can't do without you two, so I'd ask that you return first. Don't worry about me."
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly.
"How could we do that? Chen Feng, Uncle Sword, and I came here to protect you. We can't just leave you alone."
Dugu Bo immediately grew displeased.
"Hey! Ning Fengzhi, are you saying you don't trust me to keep him safe?"
Sword Douluo nodded solemnly.
"Yes. That's exactly what we mean."
"You son of a—" Dugu Bo was speechless.
Is that really how untrustworthy I look to these people?
Chen Feng smiled,
"Uncle Ning, Grandpa Sword, the poison of the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor isn't something that can be cured overnight. And to absorb these celestial herbs, I need time to refine them and cultivate. Don't worry—I won't hand over the final antidote until I return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I know what I'm doing."
He gave them a playful wink as he spoke.
Off to the side, Dugu Bo was also grumbling,
"Tch. And my granddaughter has to go back with you, too, doesn't she? You're worried about that brat? I'm worried about my Yan Yan!"
After a glance between them, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo finally nodded.
Chen Feng then turned to Dugu Bo.
"Senior, while I do have a method to suppress the poison of the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor, I want to be honest: Dugu Yan's cultivation is still low, so the toxins haven't seeped too deep—she'll be easier to treat. But you… I can't guarantee full success. I'll do my best, but no promises."
Dugu Yan immediately panicked and pleaded,
"Chen Feng, please! You have to save my grandfather! I already lost my father—I can't lose him too!"
"Don't do that—get up."
Chen Feng gently helped her to her feet.
"I only said it's not guaranteed, not that it's impossible. Don't worry—I have another method."
"What method?" she asked eagerly.
Chen Feng turned to Dugu Bo and said,
"Senior, as a Titled Douluo, it shouldn't be hard for you to acquire a soul bone, right? Nothing too fancy—just one over 3,000 years old will do."
Dugu Bo nodded.
"Soul bones are precious, yes, but one of that level isn't too hard to find. But why do you need one?"
"Because your body is already saturated with poison," Chen Feng explained.
"Traditional detoxification won't cut it. You need to absorb a soul bone and force the majority of the poison into it. Then, either remove that soul bone from your body or keep it sealed and suppressed with your Titled Douluo strength."
Dugu Bo stroked his chin in contemplation, then slowly nodded.
"I see… alright, I'll take care of that. And I accept your terms—you may pick any of the celestial herbs from this valley. But I have one condition: Dugu Yan must be treated first."
"Of course," Chen Feng agreed without hesitation.
Dugu Bo sighed.
"I've spent decades seeking out the greatest physicians in the world to suppress the side effects of the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor, and none of them could do anything. Who would've thought a kid like you would know the solution? Where in the world did you learn all this?"
Chen Feng simply smiled and said nothing.
Of course, I'm not going to tell you that five hundred years in the future, this method isn't even a secret anymore…
Inwardly, Chen Feng let out a sigh of his own.
Sorry, Tang San.
Looks like I've intercepted your prize… again.
The solution for neutralizing the Serpent Emperor's poison was a discovery originally made by Tang San. But now?
The poison—Chen Feng solved it. The celestial herbs—Chen Feng is harvesting them. Tang San… you were a good guy.
Chen Feng couldn't help but look to the sky with a sigh. In some ways, Tang San was a noble soul.
Shortly after, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo left with Dugu Yan. Dugu Bo remained behind, both to ensure Chen Feng's safety and because he was deeply curious—just what kind of celestial herbs were growing in this place that he had never even noticed?
Meanwhile, Chen Feng got to work. He took out the specially crafted containers he had prepared—many celestial-grade herbs required very specific materials to hold them. If harvested improperly, they would wither or lose their potency the moment they leave the soil.
He soon came to a halt beside a small, unremarkable-looking herb. It was entirely emerald green, but what stood out were three pure white leaves at its center, each cradling tiny droplets of morning dew.
"Autumn Water Dew!" Chen Feng's eyes lit up.
This was exactly the herb he'd been hoping to find.
In his past life, Chen Feng had only gained access to the Sword Dao Heavenly Eye through a soul bone skill. In this life, while he had retained the cultivation method, without the soul bone itself, he had only managed to reach the basic level.
The Sword Dao Heavenly Eye had three levels:
Initial Form: Slight enhancement to spirit and visual acuity.
Minor Completion: Able to materialize the eye, sharply enhancing perception and enabling spiritual attacks.
Major Completion: Perfected form with overwhelming clarity and focus.
When he'd looked through the mountain mist earlier, that was the initial form at work.
But with this Autumn Water Dew, he could at least break into the Minor Completion stage. Once that happened, not only would illusions and tricks be useless against him—even soul masters up to the Soul King level wouldn't be able to mentally suppress him!
Curious, Dugu Bo leaned over.
"That's a celestial herb, too? Looks pretty plain to me."
Chen Feng didn't hide the truth.
"This herb enhances eyesight. Eating it grants a vision akin to fire-gazing divine sight—it allows you to see through all illusions."
"That amazing?" Dugu Bo couldn't help but gasp.
"If that's true, it's worth at least as much as a ten-thousand-year soul bone!"
Chen Feng glanced at him sideways.
You want it? Be honest—are you regretting the deal?
Dugu Bo snorted.
What do you take me for? I said you could pick what you need, and I meant it. If not for you, I'd never even know these herbs existed. I'm not going back on my word.
Chen Feng nodded approvingly.
Then this Autumn Water Dew is mine.
And with that, he reached down and began the careful process of harvesting the celestial herb.